I am a C.H.R.I.S.T.I.A.N.

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Here is a simple pattern you may want to use in your prayer life until you no longer need a pattern.

Using the acronym for CHRISTIAN as a pattern:

C — Welcome the Holy Spirit to COME into our midst. Pray for a spirit of prayer to fall on you or your group.

Acts 26: 17b-18:Pray that the Holy Spirit will “open the eyes” of all United Methodists, that we will be able to discern “dark decisions” that are being made and that we will “stand up” for the light of God’s truth. Pray that there will be “forgiveness of sins” and that we will be “sanctified by faith.”

(Scripture examples: Ezekiel 36:27 “And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Romans 8:26 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” 1 Corinthians 14:15 “So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.” Jude 1:20 “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.”)

H — Receive His HEALING and restoration for those who have been hurt by the system.

(Scripture examples: 1 Kings 13:6 “Then the king said to the man of God, “Intercede with the LORD your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored.” So the man of God interceded with the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored and became as it was before.” Job 22:22-23a “Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored:” Psalm 23:2-3 “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”)

R — Thank God for REMOVING our sins through Jesus’ work on the cross. Repent of personal sins and repent of anything in your denomination that you believe grieves the heart of God.

(Scripture examples: Luke 5:32 “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 15:10 “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Acts 3:19 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,”)

I — INTERCEDE for pastors, church leaders, the staff and members of your church.

Proverbs 16:3, 7, 9:Pray these verses for all who decide to be a part of the ministry of your church. Pray this especially for those who will lead us in ministry. Ask that all will commit their plans to the Lord and allow Him to direct their steps. Pray also that God will give all involved in the efforts a winsome and honest spirit that will invite even those who oppose them to be at peace with them.

(Scripture examples: 1 Timothy 1:6-7 “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Isaiah 42:6-9 “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.”)

S — SEEK God’s will by praying His Word back to Him. (Use the Scriptures that are on your heart)

T — THANK God for His faithfulness.

(Scripture examples: Exodus 34:6 “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,” Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” Psalm 86:15 “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Isaiah 25:1 “O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.” 1 Corinthians 1:9 “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”)

I — Ask God to INSTRUCT us in reaching the lost and the backsliders.

II Timothy 1:7:Ask God to take away any fear we may have of “speaking the truth in love.” Let us go before the Lord boldly asking Him to give us courage and wisdom as we stand up for what is right.

(Scripture examples: Proverbs 3:6 “in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Psalm 119:176 “I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.” Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Ezekiel 34: 15-17 “I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice. ” ‘As for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will judge between one sheep and another, and between rams and goats.”)

A — Pray for God to ANSWER our hearts and reveal those policies and programs that are not based on the truths found in His Word.

II Timothy 3:12-16; 4:1-5:Pray that God will put a desire within our hearts to reclaim the religious heritage that is based upon the Scriptures, and to reject any false teaching. Pray that God will give us the boldness, courage, and wisdom to stand for what is right and what is true. Pray that God will enable us to “preach the Word; [to] be prepared in season and out of season; [to] correct, [to] rebuke, and [to] encourage with great patience and careful instruction.”

(Scripture examples: Numbers 24:4 “the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:” Daniel 9:18 “Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.” Acts 26:17b-18 “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’”)

N — Take time to be still and KNOW God, listening for His voice.

(Scripture examples: Psalm 37:7 “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 83:1 “O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still.” Psalm 5:3 “In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Micah 7:7 “But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”)